Cycling: Tiesj Benoot won the one-day race Kuurne - Brussels - Kuurne. The Belgian won from a small but well-manned breakaway ahead of his team-mate Nathan van Hooydonck.
Benoot and van Hooydonck fool the competition
The 75th edition of Kuurne–Brussels–Kuurne was won by Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo–Visma). In a thrilling race, the Belgian snatched victory after 193,1 kilometers, ahead of his compatriot and teammate Nathan van Hooydonck (Jumbo–Visma). Five riders battled for the win in the start/finish town of Kuurne, having broken away from the peloton together. The Dutch team had two riders at the front and skillfully exploited this numerical advantage in the final kilometers. Matej Mohoric (Bahrain–Victorious) completed the podium.
Too little help for the sprinters
Mont Saint-Laurent effectively decided the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne semi-classic with around 80 kilometers to go. Tim Wellens (UAE) launched an attack that created a five-man breakaway, which kept the peloton at bay until the finish. With Matej Mohoric (Bahrain-Victorious), Taco van der Hoorn (Intermarché-Circus-Wanty), Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma), and Nathan van Hooydonck (Jumbo-Visma) all joining him, he was joined by such strong companions that the gap quickly grew to over a minute and was maintained. In the peloton , Arnaud de Lie 's team (Lotto-Dstny) attempted to mount a counterattack but received support from other teams too late.
Tim Wellens doesn't like bees. #KBK pic.twitter.com/RSS7mmYrh7
— Benji Naesen (@BenjiNaesen) February 26, 2023
Tiesj Benoot wins #KBK . Belgium yay. pic.twitter.com/EmjsmGvolM
— joop veen (@jbveen) February 26, 2023